Evian Thonon Gaillar vs Toulouse. French Ligue 1.
Parc des SportsAttendance8,831.
Saturday 20 October 2012 23:50, UK
Toulouse moved up to third in Ligue 1 after Emmanuel Riviere's brace inflicted more misery on struggling Evian.
Toulouse moved up to third in Ligue 1 after Emmanuel Riviere's brace inflicted more misery on struggling Evian. The hosts are suffering from 'second season syndrome' after a strong showing in the top flight last term following promotion. And they were second best once again as Toulouse ran riot thanks to some clinical finishing, Riviere's strikes being sandwiched by efforts from Franck Tabanou and Daniel Braaten. Evian won at defending champions Montpellier in their last league fixture and they looked confident early on, creating three chances which brought the best out of Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada. After 11 minutes, Ahamada saved well to keep out Yannick Sagbo's header before, five minutes later, tipping wide Mohammed Rabiu's crisp volley. And shortly after, he made his best stop to deny Kevin Berigaud whose curling effort appeared destined for the corner. Having spent the opening quarter on the back foot, Toulouse promptly went up the other end and took the lead. Etienne Didot fed Tabanou who had much to do but embarked on a mazy dribble which culminated in a fierce drive high past Evian goalkeeper Stephan Andersen. The visitors doubled their advantage two minutes before half-time when Didot picked out Riviere and his close-range effort found the net. The match was effectively over as a contest four minutes into the second period as the excellent Didot again supplied Riviere and his low drive flashed under Andersen. To their credit, Evian rallied without reducing the deficit. Ahamada blocked from Daniel Wass and then kept out efforts from Zouheir Dhaouadi, Brice Djadjedje and Wass again. The hosts then saw salt rubbed into the wound as Braaten added a late fourth for Toulouse.
